This has come up in recent discussion with H and S, since D’s BF of 6 years addressed his Xmas thank-you card “Dear Mom and Dad”, and S’s new BF confessed to him that he was not sure how to address us. We’re not really “sir” and “ma’am” people. D calls us by our first names, and has for many years. S calls us Mom and Dad. My students call me Dr. Sylvan, and the kids’ other friends typically call us Dr. Sylvan and Mr. Sylvan. It seems too formal for the significant others.
Married and unmarried significant others call H and I by our first names. I’m great with that - I never have been a fan of “Mrs. Abasket”. My first name defines me - not “Mrs.”!
First names here. Our kids friends have always called us by first names. SIL continues to use our first names post-wedding. DH and I did the same with our in-laws. Lots of options with this.
First name. I’ve always made a point to introduce myself to my kids’ SOs with just my first name to start with so they know from the get go that it is okay to call me that.
My kids call us Mom and Dad. All of their friends (including the girlfriend) call us by our first names, though I think some did not start calling us by first names until high school. I think there are probably a few who try not to address us directly at all, so they don’t have to decide, but if any one calls me Ms. Mathmom, I say, please call me by my first name.
Mom, just like my kids and DIL do. Except this last holiday, they seemed to be calling me grandma quite a bit, so maybe that’s their new name for me. At least so far my kids are still calling me mom.
My kids’ friends always called me by my first name and still do.
First names for son-in-law and significant other. Kids call us Mom and Dad—although my younger daughter will mispronounce my first name when she wants to get my attention.
I answer to both my first name and “[Kid’s Name]'s Mom.” (My kid is not of SO-having age.) I don’t answer to Mrs Last Name, because that’s not my name.
Dear Mom and Dad for someone who isn’t married to my child is too familiar for me, assuming they are planning to get married at some point. Put a ring on it, and you can call me Mom.
I’m prepared to get flamed, but that’s how I’m feeling at this exact moment.
It’s funny but I can’t think the last time my kids 19 and 21, called us anything… It’s more like pass the ketchup… Lol…
We introduce ourselves to them by our first names. But depending on how we know the kid they usually address us Mr… And Mrs… Some will call my wife by her first name but me by Mr. then tell them to call me by my first name. Some do. Some still go with Mr.
I really don’t want kids who aren’t my kids to call me Mom. Ever. i absolutely hate it when other people (usually medical people but teachers or coaches too) ask “Are you MOM?” Well, I’m her mother but not yours.
I think the boyfriends avoid calling me anything. Any friend of my kids’ call my mother Nana, as do my BIL, SIL and the 800 kids my brother coaches in his youth league, but calling me by my first name just doesn’t come as naturally. I’m just mean looking. My siblings and I call her Nana too. The oldest grandchild is about 35, so it’s been a long time and just seems more natural to us now.
Both my kids call their boyfriend’s parents by their first names.
Our daughter’s (let’s call her Jane) BF called me Mrs. Jane’s Mom – which we all found hilarious and I was sort of hoping it would stick.
Otherwise, I’d ask to be called by my first name.
When this daughter brought friends home over Xmas break, everyone called me “Mom”, like when an employee at the doctor’s office needs to talk to you. “Mom, you wait here.” Haha.
First names. This break it was actually funny to hear my name spoken several times- I’m so used to only hearing Mom, and H and I must not call each other anything other than “Hey…”
